Head (or muzzle) in ASL?

[Anubis_Star]

In American Show lines, more and more I have noticed an... "odd"... conformation to the muzzle. The end makes a noticed slope downwards.

Not to insult any lines of GSD, as I know that is against the rules, but I never understood this physical appearance, or the common appearance of it in the show lines. Correct me if I'm wrong, the standard calls for a muzzle parallel to the topline of the skull without an obvious stop, and to me this muzzle is neither parallel nor clean and noble looking. If anything, to me it gives these dog's almost a "sloppy" appearance in their head.

Even a lot of the dogs who have pictures posted on here, under the "Judge my dog" section that are future conformation hopefuls, to me I don't like their conformation, mainly in the head, but many conformation people say they look very good (from what is seen in the pictures).

There are some ASL males who I think have very nice noble heads. But when I look at some of the GSD's that are ranked at the top on AKC... I just don't get it.



Don't really see it in any other lines

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Are you speaking of a Roman nose? That's what they call it in horses anyway. Not sure of dogs!

Ty, 10 months

The ABC's of GSD breeding

[Anubis_Star]

Originally Posted by JeanKBBMMMAAN

Are you speaking of a Roman nose? That's what they call it in horses anyway. Not sure of dogs!

Ty, 10 months

The ABC's of GSD breeding

Yes, I guess that is the term for it! Thank you! I find it absolutely horrendous, and just don't understand why it is so common in the breed (ASL, at least)

[msvette2u]

German Showlines have it too. That dog you pictured has an exaggerated one.
Starting to look like my Daddy :)

Look at the first pic.

I saw a "dished face" the other day on a GSD and it was amazing how pronounced it was.

[Anubis_Star]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

German Showlines have it too. That dog you pictured has an exaggerated one.
Starting to look like my Daddy :)

Look at the first pic.

I saw a "dished face" the other day on a GSD and it was amazing how pronounced it was.

Well... I'm not a fan really of EITHER show line... ASL for their - well, overall, WGSL for their rears. Hard to find one that isn't cow-hocked, lol. But I was trying to ask this without bashing.

I know the picture I posted is extremely over-exaggerated, but not only does she prove my point but that dog is one of the top GSD b*tches in the AKC right now! She's not some lowly show line who isn't winning, she is what the judges and breeders are saying a GSD SHOULD be! To me, she looks kinda like a skeksis. Too mean?

[msvette2u]

Well your first example of "other lines" showed a WGSL.
I am just saying, they all seem to have that sloping nose, but to varying degrees.

[Anubis_Star]

Originally Posted by msvette2u

Well your first example of "other lines" showed a WGSL.
I am just saying, they all seem to have that sloping nose, but to varying degrees.

I was trying to show examples of every other line. I think it's obvious the other 3 don't compare.

I'm really trying to be optimistic and hope WGSL turn around. I think Crufts may FINALLY be going in the right direction. I've seen some pretty weak, poor dogs "crowned" by them, but the last couple BOBs have seemed decent, from picture anyway. Of course without proper temperament who cares what a GSD looks like.

But the 2010 BOB was a good looking dog.


And 2012


Yes, you're right, they both have a MINOR roman-nose appearance. But to honestly compare the two... no.

[msvette2u]

"to varying degrees"

[Liesje]

I don't think it's just the Roman nose, I see a lot of ASL dogs that lack stop (I like a more pronounced stop) and/or their heads just seem narrow, not enough "cheek" to them.

[GatorDog]

I can't tell if the dog in the top photo is male or female..